To ask if I’m being overly picky, or if you’d mention these things in an Airbnb review?

[raisemyheartrate]

I’m currently staying in an Airbnb, solo, and thinking about the review I’ll write.

There are two main sticking points for me:

1. The listing did not mention, anywhere, that key pick up for the flat is located about half a mile down the road. I didn’t get check in instructions until the day of check in. I had to drag my bags to the flat, at 1 in the morning. It’s just an annoyance that to be honest, I would have avoided if I’d known about it.
2. The courtyard is really not as described. It was pictured to look huge, with a sea view and sun all day. In reality you can’t see the sea unless you’re in the flat, and the sun is gone by about 8:30 in the morning.

AIBU to mention these? It was an expensive apartment so I think I’m being slightly more critical than I’d usually be

I don’t think you’re being overly picky. The key collection details being omitted until the fairly last minute is absolutely not on. It’s not acceptable for a solo traveller to have to lug their cases to the key collection in the middle of the night. Equally it’s utterly impractical for many other travellers to do it (families with young children, elderly or less mobile guests). The hosts should definitely be up front about the key arrangements in the listing, so I’d mention that in my review.

The courtyard- I’d not bother mentioning unless they’d specifically said in the description that it was full sun & sea view. If it’s just that the photos give that impression I’d be inclined to leave it, as whilst photos do form part of the description, the hosts would probably just respond to say that at the time the photo was taken, it was in sun, so they are not giving any false promises. And they probably used one of those camera lenses that make areas look huge (as estate agents do!). It is annoying to be misled though.

I agree. I'd knock off a star or two for it but be factual about why.

I agree. I love a decent view as we sit and read and it's lovely to have. I trawl Airbnb looking for places with views and it's awful if you don't get one.
We had a cottage in the peak District. Fabulous view from the photos but that was before the trees and hedges had grown up and we could see nothing except a very green hedge. We had to sit in the bedroom looking out the window to get the rolling hills.

I don't bother with reviews. They just delete them anyway. Give it three stars, no comment and book a hotel next time. Airbnb is a waste of money.

I'd mention both, it annoys me no end when people won't give honest reviews of properties especially if photos are misleading.

Nothing I hate more than turning up to a property that doesn't live up to the way it looks online.

Yes to the key but please don't mention the sun on the terrace. I used to have an apartment and would regularly get reviews about the weather and sun positioning and it just makes the person sound unhinged because what the hell am I supposed to do about it? My terrace had full sun all day in April-October and only late afternoon sun Nov-March. Had complaints about both. I don't control the sun or the time of your visit or the fact that it was raining all week when you got there.

They don't delete them

Owner here, not this owner: the key safe should be at the property, and it should state on the listing that the sea views are from the flat itself not the courtyard. Both those should be mentioned on the review.

I send out info with the final payment 60 days before; for last minute bookings the info goes out a week before.

A day ahead is far too late imo and it’s likely an automatic setting by the host. Another time, email well in advance requesting the arrival details as they can send them manually.

Place I booked in Sheffield was regularly deleting the whole listing with the reviews pointing out the absolute state of it. And then relisting the same property as a new host, complete with amazing reviews from consecutive one-night stays...

Not sure how, as you have to upload your government ID to create an Airbnb host account, but maybe they were doing it under fake business names?? Either way that's highly unusual and a lot of effort to go to to delete reviews.

The key thing to me is trading standards if such rental came in their scope and were adequately staffed.

The sooner such short term lets require planning permission the better.

You being used to walking doesn't mean that everybody else is able to. It might be no problem for a lot of people but they should still known before they book.

The key safe is absolutely ridiculous. You have to state that, and more importantly, the owner needs to do something about it. I am a little surprised it wasn't mentioned by other reviews?

I would also mention the courtyard but in the more neutral way others have described.

I’m halfway through my day and up to 12k steps and not feeling anything, so I’d say I’m fairly used to walking! But this with bags was ridiculous

Agree with this approach. The key issue would definitely bother me as well.

Any accommodation photos will be taken as flatteringly as possible, so the courtyard photo probably not grounds to complain. Sun exposure may be different at different times of year depending on where you are too. Potentially mention factually, like courtyard is in the sun early morning.

Key collection, I would comment on for information purposes. I can see why its annoying, particularly given your travel/arrival times, so more to ensure future guests are aware for their own planning purposes.

They are a little nit picky if you were making a complaint/after compensation, but if you just include details for others awareness it helps inform future bookings, as you would like to have been aware of these details

It wouldn’t ever occur to me that I’d have a sea view with a court yard garden

What was the rating for the property? I avoid any below 4.5

Yes definitely mention them both. I would want to know the key safe is a half mile walk away and that the courtyard pics were deceptive. The lack of sun in the courtyard would be a huge issue for us and we would be extremely hacked off if it was made to seem sun drenched, so definitely mention it. We have picked up keys from a letting agent key safe in the past, which was way further than half a mile, and that was a faff and a half even though it was during the day and we had a hire car. Those that try and make out a half mile walk at 1 am, dragging a suitcase is fine are being ridiculous. I’m fit for my age and run daily but wouldn’t be happy not being told that I’d have to traipse half a mile to pick up the key until after I’d booked

Incorrect

you can filter by

Highest
lowest
most recent
Most relevant

Yes I am aware. But if you just click on reviews, you don't see them in chronological order, you see the highest ratings first, so it might appear as if bad reviews have been deleted unless you specifically look for them

again. No you don’t

the automatic list sequence is by most recent

then you can amend the list sequence

I am literally on a listing

scroll to reviews
the automatic sequence of reviews without doing any filtering is by most recent

you can than change to highest / lowest rated

I'd mention both, but be factual rather than critical

Just tested it myself
Automatically filtered by most relevant
No idea why yours is filtering otherwise. See screenshot of Airbnb site.